Often many of us only think about summer reading as something to keep the kids occupied while they are out of school, but what about keeping your own brain sharp?

Adults can expand their vocabulary and improve comprehension skills by participating in these programs. Engaging with various texts increases reading frequency, helping adults form consistent reading habits through access to diverse titles, which will broaden literary horizons and foster a deeper appreciation for reading. Our Summer Reading Challenge here at Nashville Public Library offers many great reader challenges to enhance adult literacy, such as:

• Read a book by a Native American author.
• From page to screen: read a book with a TV or movie adaptation! 
• Read a book set in your home state or country. 
• Read a book out loud to someone else. 

Enhance your own adult literacy through this year's Summer Reading Challenge by creating new reading habits that stick with you throughout the year with these summer reading picks curated by the Adult Literacy team here at Nashville Public Library.

Read a Book by a Native American Author

Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology is an amazing collection of Indigenous North and South American folktales that will grip the reader with their realistic moments and keep you hooked to each story. 

From Page to Screen

Though we are listing The Color Purple as our pick for the film or television adaptation category, it is also one of the greatest literary works set in the state of Tennessee and explores the historical implications and restrictions of race, gender, and equality. 

Read a Book Set in Your Home State or Country

We chose Memories of the Sun: Stories of Africa and America for our home country pick so as to examine and provide insight into the historical relationship and impact African culture has had on the United States of America. Jane Kurtz, Ethiopian and American, developed these twelve stories and three poems to show what it is like to grow up apart of two cultures. 

Read a Book Out Loud to Someone Else

The One and Only Bob is an amazing story of friendship and connection regardless of where we may have come from or what we look like. This story is great for all ages and is also great to read aloud to a friend or loved one. 

Get to Reading!

Summer reading encourages continuous education by promoting self-directed learning and the exploration of new subjects. Adults who participate in these programs develop critical thinking skills through analytical reading and reflective thought processes by helping to prevent cognitive decline. Reading is an essential skill that transcends age, benefiting individuals throughout their lives. At Nashville Public Library, not only do we make our Summer Reading Challenge easy to register and log your days read, but it is also fun with great reading challenges for all ages. Reading works to improve memory and delay age-related impairments. Most importantly, reading is relaxing, reduces stress, and contributes to mental well-being.

There is still time for you to relax this summer with some of our book suggestions, so scan the QR Code below to register for our Summer Reading Challenge if you haven't yet and get to reading! You can also visit any Nashville Public Library Branch if you need assistance. You can also still log all of those days you read this summer for June as well as July, this will allow you to complete more challenges and receive more prizes!